Child accosting arrest

March 25, 2008|By Steve Zucker News-Review Staff Writer

An Emmet County couple are facing a slew of criminal charges in connection with allegations that they tried to entice several girls ranging in age from 11 to 17 to engage in sex acts with them or each other.

Mickey Ernest Lauer, 36, and Amanda Lynn Baker, 22, both of Harbor Springs, are facing charges of accosting a child for immoral purposes, distributing obscene matter to children and indecent exposure. The charges are four and two-year felonies and a misdemeanor respectively. Lauer is also facing charges of third degree criminal sexual conduct and fourth degree criminal sexual conduct, a 15-year felony and a two-year charge respectively.

Both are scheduled to face a preliminary examination on the charges on April 9 in 90th District Court.

Police say they learned of the allegations when one of the girls involved told a relative, who in turn notified police.

According to a Michigan State Police affidavit filed in the case, the girls - ages 11, 13, 16 and 17 - told police that during a visit to the defendants' residence in October they were shown photos of Baker engaged in sexual acts. They told police that before getting into a hot tub with the defendants, the defendants allegedly told them they couldn't wear their swimsuits because Lauer is allergic to detergents. The girls told police that Lauer and Baker engaged in sex acts in front of them, and that Lauer sexually touched two of the girls. They also said Lauer asked one of the older girls for sex.

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In a news release issued Monday, police said they believe there may be more victims who have not yet been identified. Police are asking anyone who may have information about children or young adults associating with Baker or Lauer under questionable circumstances to call the Petoskey Michigan State Police post at 347-8101.

Both Lauer and Baker are free from custody on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond.